Testimony begins in Canandaigua arson-for-money case

Wednesday

Jul 16, 2014 at 12:09 AMJul 16, 2014 at 12:09 AM

By Melody Burri melody@messengerpostmedia.com

CANANDAIGUA — A trial is underway at Ontario County Courthouse for one of three defendants facing charges stemming from a house fire on Dec. 22, 2013. That blaze destroyed a 41 Saltonstall St. home and damaged two adjacent structures.On trial is Samuel F. Crawford, 33, of 2110 Route 21 in Canandaigua, who is charged with one count of third-degree arson for the fire at 41 Saltonstall St., two counts of fourth-degree arson for damage to adjoining properties, and attempted insurance fraud. All are felonies, said Ontario County First Assistant District Attorney Brian Dennis, the prosecuting attorney. Crawford also faces a conspiracy charge, a misdemeanor.If convicted, Crawford could serve between seven-and-a-half to 15 years in state prison, Dennis said.Facing identical charges and possible sentences in separate litigations are Crawford’s wife, Shallamar L. Hayward-Crawford, 29, of 2110 Route 21, and William Bradley Jr., 21, of 3773 Route 247, Canandaigua.At the time of the fire Canandaigua City Police Sgt. Scott Kadien said Hayward-Crawford and Crawford — who are married and are the owners of the residence — allegedly committed the arson in an effort to receive proceeds from their insurance company. The couple allegedly approached Bradley, who was an acquaintance, and asked him to help with the arson, Kadien said.Taking the witness stand at the start of the trial Tuesday were co-defendant William Bradley and his wife, Jessica Bradley; Canandaigua City Police Detective Daniel Visingard; a former tenant of 41 Saltonstall St.; and an Allstate special investigator of suspicious claims. Defense attorney Robert Tucker represented Crawford, with Judge Frederick G. Reed presiding.William Bradley Jr. was the first to take the stand for the prosecution Tuesday morning, Dennis said. He was followed by Visingard, who testified that on Jan. 7, while he interviewed Crawford at his 2110 Route 21 home, Crawford told him that “he and his wife offered Bill Bradley $1,000 to start the fire.” When Visingard asked why, he testified Crawford’s response was, “It would have been one less payment for us.”A digital recording of the formal interview that followed at the Canandaigua Police station captured a restatement of the confession, Visingard said. That video is expected to be played for the jury Wednesday morning, Dennis said.Former 41 Saltonstall St. tenant Angel Madera then testified that on two occasions he heard Crawford complain about having to fix things at the rental home, and said he “wished the house would burn down.” Madera said another time he heard Crawford say he “wished he could take a match to it,” and that “we should just set this house on fire” because his wife “has insurance on it.”Following Madera was Joseph Kuczkowski, a special investigator of suspicious claims at Allstate Insurance, who testified that Hayword-Crawford and Crawford had increased their insurance coverage of the home on Dec. 11, 2013, upping it from $100,000 to $180,000. The fire occurred on Dec. 22, 2013.The last witness for the prosecution on Tuesday was Bradley’s wife, Jessica Bradley.The trial is expected to conclude sometime today, with one further day for jury instructions and deliberations, Dennis said. Two more witnesses for the prosecution are expected to be called today, including city police Investigator Nate Lawrence, who spearheaded the investigation, and neighbors of 41 Saltonstall St.It is unknown whether the defendant will testify on his own behalf today.Crawford and Hayward-Crawford are currently being held in Ontario County Jail, Dennis said. Hayward-Crawford is scheduled for trial on Aug. 4. William Bradley Jr. has been released, following a guilty plea on all counts on Monday, July 13. Bradley is due to be sentenced on Sept. 3.None of the three has any previous convictions for arson-related offenses, and Crawford was on New York state parole for an unrelated offense, according to Canandaigua Det. Sergeant Scott Kadien. Bradley did not receive payment from Crawford or Hayward-Crawford, Kadien said.